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Home , Alleluia, Epistle

GRACE EPISCOPAL

The Seventh Sunday of The Sixteenth Day of May in the year of our Lord 2021 Moring Prayer Rite II

James Pasquale, Lay Worship Leader

Welcome to Grace Episcopal Church. The mission of Grace Episcopal Church is to proclaim Christ as our Savior. We are dedicated to growing the Kingdom of God by actively living out our Baptismal Covenant. Through God’s grace we are committed to welcoming all, nurturing each other, building loving relationships with friends and strangers alike, and being renewed through the power of the Holy Spirit.

MUSIC VOLUNTARY

All who are able please stand

OPENING SENTENCE

Leader ! Christ is risen. People The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

THE CONFESSION

Leader Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Silence may be kept

Leader Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and And deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you People with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors, as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Leader Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.

THE INVITATORY AND

Leader Lord, open our lips. People And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Leader and People

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

THE ANTIPHON

Leader Alleluia, Christ the Lord has ascended into heaven: People Come let us adore him. Alleluia 1 THE INVITATORY: CHRIST OUR / PASCHA NOSTRUM

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Please sit and read in unison

Psalm 98 Cantate Domino

1 Sing to the LORD a new song, * for he has done marvelous things.

2 With his right hand and his holy arm * has he won for himself the victory.

3 3 The LORD has made known his victory; * his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.

4 He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, * and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

5 Shout with joy to the LORD, all you lands; * lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.

6 Sing to the LORD with the harp, * with the harp and the voice of song. 7 With trumpets and the sound of the horn * shout with joy before the King, the LORD.

8 Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, * the lands and those who dwell therein.

9 Let the rivers clap their hands, * and let the hills ring out with joy before the LORD, when he comes to judge the earth.

10 In righteousness shall he judge the world * and the peoples with equity.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

THE FIRST LESSON Acts 1.15-17, 21-26 Sara McNelis, The choosing of twelve disciples as a special group seems to have been a sign of the coming age and of the new Israel. They are a distinct group whose numbers need to be restored after Judas’s defection. In today’s passage, the company of believers picks out two candidates who fulfill the criteria and then they cast lots to see who will replace Judas – a Hebrew custom to allow the operation of God’s will. Matthias was chosen and would share in ministry as the servant of the community and in apostleship as the missionary envoy of Christ.

Leader A Reading from the book of Acts.

In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, "Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus-- for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry. So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the of John until the day when he was taken up from us-- one of these become a witness with us to his resurrection." So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.

Leader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

4 All who are able please stand 8 S 208 THE SONG OF MOSES / CANTEMUS DOMINO

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Please Sit THE SECOND LESSON 1 John 5.9-13 Sara McNelis, Reader Today’s reading includes the end of the discussion on the witness to the Son of God, a statement of the point of the and its purpose and the first part of an appendix. The testimony of God was manifested in two ways: first, through God’s saving action in Jesus; second, through the result of that action – eternal life for the believer. Verse 12 encapsulates the call to decision, toward which the whole has been leading. Verse 13 summarizes the epistle in a way similar to Joh 20.31. The appendix speaks of prayer “according to his will” as John does of prayer “in his name”.

Leader A Reading from first book of John. 6 If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son. Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Leader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

All who are able please stand

CANTICLE 18 A SONG TO THE LAMB / DIGNUS ES

Please Sit THE THIRD READING John 17.6-19 James Pasquale Lay Worship Leader Chapter 17 is known as the “prayer of consecration” or “high priestly prayer” of Jesus. He offers himself to the Father and speaks as high in offering intercessions for others. Jesus’s ministry on earth is completed. He has revealed God to the disciples. For John, this prayer is the expression of Jesus’s union and with the Father, spoken aloud before the disciples so that they may share that union. It is revelation as well as intercession. Jesus prays for himself, for the disciples and for future believers. He prays that the disciples may be kept safe from the world by the power of the name God has given him. The disciples – and all Christians – are consecrated, set 7 apart, as Jesus was by his incarnation. This is not merely for self-purification but for mission into the world. The mission of the disciples, continuing the presence of Jesus, brings the world to judgment.

Leader A Reading from the book of John.

Jesus prayed for his disciples, “I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.”

Leader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

THE James Pasquale, Lay Worship Leader

A period of silent reflection follows

All who are able please stand

THE APOSTLES’

Leader and People together

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under , was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 8 I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy , the communion of , the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

THE PRAYERS

Leader The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Leader Let us pray.

Leader and People

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

SUFFRAGES A Sara McNelis, Reader V. Show us your mercy, O Lord; R. And grant us your salvation.

V. Clothe your ministers with righteousness; R. Let your people sing with joy.

V. Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; R. For only in you can we live in safety.

V. Lord, keep this nation under your care; R. And guide us in the way of justice and truth.

V. Let your way be known upon earth; R. Your saving health among all nations.

V. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; R. Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

V. Create in us clean hearts, O God; R. And sustain us with your Holy Spirit. 9 All who are able please remain standing.

A FOR THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER James Pasquale, Lay Worship Leader

O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

A Collect for Sundays O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Collect for Peace O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

INTERCESSIONS Sara McNelis, Reader Leader Knowing and believing the love God has for us, let us offer our prayers in the name of Jesus who was taken up to heaven and intercedes for us at the right hand of God, saying, Alleluia! Lord, hear our prayer.

For the Church: especially Michael, our Presiding , and Kevin, our bishop, that we may always bear witness to the truth of God's love. People Alleluia! Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader For this parish family, that we who are sent may go forth and continue Christ's mission of bringing hope and healing to all. People Alleluia! Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader For the gift of peace in all places of conflict, that God will touch hearts, and give courage to those who work tirelessly for justice and the common good of all. People Alleluia! Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader For those preparing for baptism at , and all who seek a deeper experience of the Holy Spirit, that God will fill them with the Spirit of truth and love. People Alleluia! Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader For all those in places overwhelmed by the pandemic, that God will strengthen those caring for the sick, working against great odds, and distributing the vaccine. People Alleluia! Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader For all who are in need of our prayers, remembering especially Judy, Ted, Helen, Art, Bill, and all those from your submitted thanksgivings and intercessions (pause), that they may be strengthened and renewed with the power of God's love. People Alleluia! Lord, hear our prayer. 10 Leader For those who have died, remembering Mark, that they will be welcomed into the peace and joy of God’s eternal reign. People Alleluia! Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader Lifting our voices with all creation, with Mary, the God-bearer, and with all the saints who have borne witness to the Risen Christ, let us offer ourselves and one another to the living God through Christ. People Alleluia! to you, O Lord we give praise and glory.

Lay Leader Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth, source of all joy. Hear our prayers and send us your Holy Spirit that we may bear witness to your abiding love made known to us in our Savior Jesus Christ. Glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and always and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Please Sit

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please remember the financial needs of the church are ongoing. You may send in your offerings to Grace Episcopal Church, 30 Butler Street, Kingston Pa 18704.

All who are able please stand

THE GENERAL THANKSGIVING

Leader and People

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen

PRAYER A Prayer of St. Chrysostom

Leader and People

Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.

DISMISSAL

Leader Alleluia, alleluia, Let us bless the Lord. People Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

MUSIC VOLUNTARY 11

©The Hymnal, 1982: Service Music: According to the Use of the Episcopal Church. New York: Church Hymnal Corp, 1985.

©The and Administration of the Sacraments and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church : Together with the Psalter or of David According to the Use of the Episcopal Church. New York: Seabury Press, 1979.

The Flowers are given to the Glory of God and in memory of Mark Pasquale By his Son, James.

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